Guwahati, Sept. 13: The Assam government today began distributing laptops to students who secured over 75 per cent in Class X examination.

Altogether 15,850 students will be given the laptops under the Anundoram Borooah Laptop Award Scheme that was initiated by the state government in memory of the scholar in 2005.

Today, the awards were distributed to the students of six districts at Veterinary College playground at Khanapara. Students of rest of the districts will be given the laptops in their respective localities.

The scheme was planned to motivate and inspire the students to perform better and have first-hand experience with information and communication technology.

A total 54,240 students of High School Leaving Certificate examination, 1,055 students of High Madrassa Examination under the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, 278 students of Senior Madrassa Examination under the State Madrassa Education Board, 1,242 students of Sanskrit/Pali Praveshika Examination under the State Sanskrit Board and six students of Title Madrassa Examination under the Al Jamiatul Arbiatul Islamia, Assam, received the awards.

The number of total beneficiaries has dropped from 56,826 last year to 15,850 this year as the state government decided to give laptops only to star-mark holders. Earlier, all first-division holders were given the awards.

According to the data of the state education department, of the total star marks holders, 11,011 took admission in science stream, 3,001 in arts, 1,718 in commerce stream and 120 in others. Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said it is a good sign that most of the students have taken admission in the science stream.

The state government has provided free 4G internet connection for two years with each laptop, books and reference study materials in pdf format on all subjects according to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) syllabus for Classes XI and XII and for online lessons for medical and engineering examinations.

Sarma said the state government will give Scooty to the first 1,000 girls who have secured first division in the Class XII examination. He said the number of beneficiaries will be increased to 5,000 next year. Students not willing to take Scooty can take Rs 52,000 in cash.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the award will inspire the students to take part in nation-building and lead a life of dignity. Stating that the future of a nation depends on its young minds, Sonowal urged the students to work with harmony, transparency and integrity. He called upon them to consider the award as a stepping stone to further success in life.